More Top Picks Best Leather Messenger Bags For Men Uk
player ready...On a recent stroll through Bennett Park in Palos Hills with her dog, Kara Price remembered when her children used to play in the wooded area years ago. The only other attraction was a lake.
Price marveled at the park’s transformation since then. The brush is cleared, there area new trees, a wooden bridge over a stony waterfall connecting the east and west side of the park and various walking paths.
More recently, the city added a small stone amphitheater with boulder seats for music and entertainment, a gazebo, exercise equipment, nature themed children’s pods and a playground for children with special needs.
“It’s fantastic, they’ve really done a great job clearing everything up,” said Price. “It wasn’t really user-friendly before. … It’s nice to see a lot of people out here.”
Price, who saw an eagle during a bird-watching session at the park, moved to Palos Hills 25 years ago, about five before the city bought the park and began planning the changes, which included a new public works building nearby.
The owner of the property at the time planned to develop the 30 acres of open land into a “a pretty intense multiunit, single family development,” said Mayor Jerry Bennett during a dedication of the park and public works building in June.
Residents complained and Bennett suggested to the council that the city purchase the land for $2 million to keep its sweeping natural look and add amenities for residents. Officials secured a grant and the project was launched.
Formerly known as Pleasure Lake Park, the site was renamed in 2019 in honor of Bennett for his 40 years of service as mayor at the suggestion of former Ald. Ricky Moore.
“We all thought it was a good idea,” said longtime Ald. Marty Kleefisch. “Generally speaking, I think he’s done a very good job for the city.”
A few years ago, the city contracted GameTime to build the playground and construct nature-themed pods, including a tree trunk with two large holes for exploring with an educational plaque alongside.
“What’s nice is the playground manufacturer has five distinctions you can receive for parks based on different topics — playful pathways, nature play, outdoor adult fitness and youth physical activity,” said Kristin Violante, commissioner of Parks and Recreation, who helped with the planning. The park was the first in the nation to include all five, she said.
Also added were a stucco rail fence along 108th Street to separate the park from the road and trees planted around some of the walkways. The work has been done largely by Public Works staff or funded by state grants.
Bennett is a big fan of the park himself.
“There’s so many nice things, obviously the waterfall and bridge and pavilion,” said Bennett. “People are realizing how nice that lake is. You see a lot of families just taking a walk around there, spending time around the waterfall, having a snack at the pavilion.”
The city has already held several entertainment events at the amphitheater and a Halloween Haunted Hills of Palos is expected in October.
“We intend going forward to do that more often, to have other activities out there. It’s a whole open door for us to come up with some ideas to utilize it the best we can,” Bennett said.
Cristina Soto, youth services associate at Green Hills Public Library, led a story hour at the gazebo, reading “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” and other books to half a dozen kids and parents.
“It’s kind of nice for very young kids because they’re able to walk around and go to the playground if they get antsy.”
Even with the park’s modernization, older residents are still enjoying its peaceful beauty.
“I do love it,” said Sharon Opiela, a resident of 52 years, who was taking a walk near the lake with her caregiver. “Little by little, they’re giving (families) more things to do.
More Top Picks Best Electric Scooters
“Ten years ago, it wasn’t like this,” she said.
Janice Neumann is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.